For some crazy reason, the New England Patriots have traded the premier but moody and self-serving wide receiver to the team where he got his start and became a superstar 12 years ago. Minnesota fans adored Moss who only needed to be in the vicinity of a pass thrown his way to leap up and catch it..often in spectacular fashion. But after several stellar seasons, Moss figured he wasn’t getting enough action on the field and started to slack off.

Vikings fans give Randy a pass about quitting on them in the past.

When he walked from the field to the dressing room before one losing game was even over, It was the last straw. Moss was sent packing to Oakland with a good riddance from fans who had grown tired of his sulky attitude. Moss found new life when he was traded to the Patriots and became a favorite target of quarterback Tom Brady. Earlier this year, though, Moss..ever the team player—not, gave notice that he probably wouldn’t be a Patriot next year.

Well, now, the desperate Vikings have a new\old target for Brett Favre to launch long balls to. Will Randy feel like jumping up to catch them? I guess we’ll find out soon enough.

All this Moss business has overshadowed the fact that Major League Baseball is in the post season and the Minnesota Twins are back in the hunt for another World Series. Oh, yeah..they’ve got to get passed the Yankees.

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I got a call last week from an old friend and fellow musician, Rod Anderson, who lives in Nashville where his guitar playing skills are regularly put to use on stage and in the recording studio. He was being inducted into the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame and wondered if I’d join him on stage at the VFW last Sunday to sing a song. Rod played with lots of Midwest bands during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s performing both rock and roll and country music.

Rod Anderson performs with his old band, The Apostles, last April at the SD Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over the weekend he was inducted into the S.D “Country” music hall of fame.

After the ceremony, Rod’s brother in law, Darrell “Boomer” Hoiland..a bass player and singer who was inducted last year, asked me about getting together at his house in Brandon on Monday to do some jamming and reminiscing. Boomer and I also go way back having played in several bands together.

Darrell “Boomer” Hoiland 2009 inductee into SD Country Music hall of fame.

I haven’t sat down to a set of drums in a very long time but once Rod and Boomer started to play it all came back and we jammed and talked and laughed late into the night. Okay, by late I mean 11:30 but still.

I’ve always admired Rod..not only for his skills as a musician but for his wonderful personality and the way he carries himself as a man.

If ever there was someone with powerful reasons to be bitter and angry it would be Rod. During the war in Vietnam he received injuries that cost him his sight. To make matters worse, those injuries were caused by friendly fire. But Rod, with the help of his wife, Bonnie, chose not to be bitter about the lousy hand he was dealt and, instead, has found joy, peace and success through his relentless pursuit of perfection in his music.

Randy Moss could learn a lesson or two about never giving up from a guy like Rod.

2 Comments

I’ve had the honor of knowing and working with Rod Anderson and Darrel “Boomer” Hoiland. I can honestly say that you won’t find two nicer and more talented musicians. They both deserve the accolades they’ve received, and I’m proud to count them as true friends. Although we haven’t maintained regular contact over the years, thoughts of them bring back nothing but good memories of my years playing music in Sioux Falls and the many friends I made while there. One memory jumps out at me! My first time in Sioux Falls, I arrived with Kay Kizer and Ronnie Nichol, looking for work with a trio called the Kaylen Bros. I was the drummer. We had no place to stay. Who should come to our rescue? None other than another fine musician and friend! That’s right: Doug Lund! Thanks Doug! Guess you helped jump start my musical career. I appreciate it friend!

The game your talking about with the washington redskins where randy moss was walking off the field was already over even if they would of recovered the onside kick the game clock was already at 00.oo zero so they wouldnt even had a play so get real